The Heritage 2020 framework sets out strategic priorities for collaborative working by the historic environment sector across England. Achieving the ambitions of the framework requires action by individuals and organisations, often working together to add value to individual efforts.

A key value of the framework is that it shows how the sector is working together to shared aims, and this can be clearly demonstrated by organisations individually showing how they are contributing to the collective effort.

Contributing to Heritage 2020

Heritage 2020 provides a Framework for where collaborative working by the historic environment sector can address issues that have been identified as common priorities. Any organisation can produce a statement, either as a standalone document or integrated with existing organisational mission statements or strategic objectives, which articulates how they link with the priorities of the Heritage 2020 Framework.

The five Heritage 2020 working groups have identified priority areas for action and are leading a range of associated activities. These are summarised in the working groups’ action plans. We are keen to hear of work from across the sector that relates to these priorities. Please share your work with us so that we can record the contributions in the annual report of progress by the sector which is published as part of Heritage Counts.

#HeritageChat

From 2017, it was decided that the process for contributing to the Heritage2020 themes should be expanded from an annual survey consultation to a monthly Twitter chat, known as #HeritageChat. This is intended to increase the opportunities for the historic environment sector to contribute directly to Heritage2020’s activities, to discuss topics of relevance to the sector, and to share examples of work. Likewise, it gives Heritage2020 the chance to engage with the sector more widely.

For more information on each #HeritageChat, including topics, how to contribute questions and how to take part, please see our #HeritageChat page.

Consultation

The original vision for getting involved with Heritage 2020 included an annual consultation on the Heritage 2020 Framework and the evolving strategic priorities, to take place in the autumn of each year. This process was followed in 2016 and the 2016 Consultation summary is available below. As of 2017, the annual consultation has been replaced by a monthly #HeritageChat.

2016 Heritage 2020 Consultation

The 2016 Heritage 2020 consultation asked for your contributions to the themes that have been identified as priorities for short-term action by the five working groups.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their insight and views to the current areas of activity which include: research needs, diversity in public engagement, the new Apprenticeship landscape and its potential to build capacity of the workforce, Local Authority service provision with respect to the historic environment, guidance and support relating to the transfer of publicly owned assets, resilience of high streets and how Heritage 2020 can support you in building and communicating a positive message about the contribution of the historic environment to politicians and Government.

The consultation responses have been shared with the Heritage 2020 HEF subcommittee and the working groups. This summary of the responses shows common themes and how the Heritage 2020 working groups are taking forward the suggestions received during the consultation in the development of their activities for 2017-18.Read the summary of the Heritage 2020 consultation responses, 2016.

It is anticipated that the priorities will evolve year by year within the existing themes, and that a major review of the definition of the themes and the structure of the framework will be undertaken before a new Heritage 2025 framework is published in draft for consultation in 2019, prior to its introduction in April 2020.

Annual report

An annual report will be prepared on collective progress which links in with the strategic priorities defined in the framework. This will be published in the autumn of each year as part of the annual Heritage Counts publication (www.heritagecounts.org.uk) which is overseen by the Historic Environment Forum.

Project team

You can contact the team working on the delivery of the framework, including the working groups, through Caroline Peach, who provides support to the project.